Car fuel consumption
Submitted by suzi q on Sun, 2018-05-06 08:51
Hi Everyone
We have a 6.7m bar Crusher and a petrol Toyota Prado. On our trips up north we use more the. 28L/100km. We are looking to change out the Prado shortly, and I’m keen to find out if anyone has had any luck with reducing fuel consumption to something less then what we currently do. We obviously do all the drag and weight reduction things already, but it hasn’t made all that much difference.
thanks everyone
ChrisG
Posts: 558
Date Joined: 30/12/11
I reckon unless you get a
I reckon unless you get a diesel tow vehicle you’re not going to do much better than you currently do. Think unlikely you’ll ever get less than 20L / 100 whilst youve got a petrol
Mike17
Posts: 323
Date Joined: 30/06/13
Grand Cherokee
We tow a loaded up 5.65m Ocean Whaler behind a Grand Cherokee diesel and get 13-14km per 100l. And that's sitting on 110kph hills and all.
Car is awesome gets less than 8.8l per 100km around town.
Use The Force
brown364
Posts: 249
Date Joined: 25/08/15
Guzzler
At those figures
but we read what ya meant. good going!
Moylee
Posts: 70
Date Joined: 05/12/06
Fuel consumption
I've got a 100 series turbo diesel and tow a 21 foot glass rig full of of camping gear and associated crap for 2 weeks away and always average between 16 - 22 ltr/100 km depending on wind. I sit on 95-100 km/hr
Car has modified turbo/intercooler and tune so makes good power and torque - fuel consumption hasn't increased since mods but have more ponies - a good tune/remap/dyno is well worth it even on a petrol vehicle - if done correctly
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Jeep Grand Cherokee fully
Jeep Grand Cherokee fully loaded 3.5t boat maxing out 6.5t gcm does average 17l/100 19l with a solid head wind.
bsir
Posts: 574
Date Joined: 24/04/11
LC200
2014 landcruiser 200, towing 3.5T Cruise craft, sitting on 100-105kph....18-22lph depending on wnds etc.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Thats pretty good. The newer
Thats pretty good. The newer cruisers are def better by 2007 200 series was like 30l/100
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
Replied but my post gone?I
Replied but my post gone?
I tow a 6.1 genesis which is prob around same weight as your rig with a rg colorado
Just got back from a north trip and average 15-16 l/100km
The colorado handles it with ease. 4 guys and packed to the hilt
Ant1derooster
Posts: 32
Date Joined: 13/09/16
My Experience
I've got a 560C (now 615C) Barcrusher and get on average 13L/100km towing with my 2011 Diesel Pajero. I've done many trips up North and the things that work for me to keep the consumption down are as follows:
1. Reduce Drag: as my BC is not a hardtop i can fold the roof and the windshield back so there is almost more wind draw when comparing to the car's profile.
2. Check tyre pressures, I will keep the trailers tyres pretty hard when towing up north
3. Ambient Air temp plays a big role in my consumption. The cooler the better so I tend to drive early morning/evening where possible.
4. Hills are a killer, especially the stretch of road just north of northhampton.
5. Cruise control is worse for consuption
6. I tow locked in 4th. Knocks about 1.5-2L/100km off the consumption.
7. The amount of drag is not linear with speed. I try and tow at 90km/h, efficiency starts goin out the window the closer i get to 100km/h.
These are just my observations after doing multiple trips up north, and trying to keep myself entertained....
I's sure that different vehicles and rigs will have things that work best for them.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
this is a great reply and
this is a great reply and very similar to what I have found. I do and average of 15000km per year towing. ... run torque pro on a seperate readout so know exactly what my car is doing.
Look up your cars torque curve if you can find it and tow in the "sweet spot " for RPM
*** max torque RPM = best fuel economy. (within reason for highway gear etc)
for most diesels and me it's around 2000rpm ... I do this in 5th gear (6 speed auto in manual mode tq conv locked) at about 95kmph.
number 3 above ofcourse is very important if you have turbo
cold air = high density = lots of o2= good burn
opposite for hot ait
sonofdarryl
Posts: 35
Date Joined: 20/08/16
**best engine efficiency, not
**best engine efficiency, not fuel economy. you still use less fuel below your peak torque becuase your driving slower and pushing less air around your car (biggest factor). take your foot off the pedal when towing at 110 and feel how quick your car slows down. your car is always contering this force to maintain speed which is where most of your fuel goes. if keep your foot off and drop to around 90 - 95kmh you will notice your car will decelerate slower as the air resistance is significantly, this is where the good balance of fuel economy / speed normally lies. its the same on soft sand, take your foot off and you stop almost instantly, even though you could be sitting on peak torque.
Paj man
Posts: 360
Date Joined: 16/09/12
Wow
I'm feeling better about my 21yo Pajero getting 18L-26L/100km towing my 6m cc. (tail wind vs head wind)
I do remember way back in the Perth4x4 forum days a bloke's prado had a drinking problem which he chased back to a dodgy sensor - if the car's getting a bit long in the tooth it may be something like this.
aka Nick
Jsmolly
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Last year sept school hols
Last year sept school hols headed north from Perth in cyclonic nor west winds. 6.4m hard top Genesis. Pajero petrol got 38.6l/100km sitting on 70 Kmh
Way home even into southerlies got 31l/100km. Still Bought new diesel when got home 
sea-kem
Posts: 15013
Date Joined: 30/11/09
14-15L/100km in the
14-15L/100km in the Wildtrack. We won't go over 105km/h as the consumption just jumps. The thing that made a huge difference for us was a towable boat cover. Cut down all the drag, boat tyres at 50psi and load all the heavy shit in the car like beer cartons etc, it's designed to take a load.
Love the West!
merdel12
Posts: 306
Date Joined: 19/07/12
rg Colorado towing a 6.8
rg Colorado towing a 6.8 trailcraft chock a block I get 12-13L per 100kms sitting on 100
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
that's awsome you tow in
that's awsome you tow in 5th?
any upgrades etc?
Deckie
Posts: 1296
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Same.
2011 Colorado towing a 6.0m Glass Caribean. Just returned from Shark Bay last weekend.
Worked out at 11.2L/100Km. Ute loaded up and the fishing gear and extras in the boat. 100kph for the whole trip.
5th gear all of the way in cruise control except for 1 hill outside Northampton......
Cheers & Stay safe
Deckie
Posts: 1296
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Munji cable.
I have noticed a difference since i installed a "Munji Cable". Dropped it by about 2 Lt/100k's, dont sound much but it all helps & it runs smoother as well..
Cheers & Stay safe
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Prado 4.0
My petrol Prado Auto 4.0 gets between 20 and 25L per 100km when towing my 6m Haines Signature to Jurien from Perth. But, I keep it in 4th and dont go over 95 unless downhill. I also use the Scanguage to keep an eye on the consumption. You can really save some fuel by tweaking your driving methods.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
West Coast
Posts: 331
Date Joined: 10/12/07
2014 BT 50
Averaged just over 19L per 100k's and 90kmh towing a 7.5m ali hard top from Perth to Onslow and back. You feel the hills and the headwinds but I thought the car did a great job.
Bradg10
Posts: 19
Date Joined: 13/07/14
2011 200 Series
Towed our 7m Hard top from Broome to Ningaloo for the holidays used 200 series on the way down @105km/h used 20lph.
Towed it back with Ford Ranger @100kmh used 20lph. Probably slightly more wind on the way down but it was an interesting result. If you sat on 90kmh you were using about 15lph but that got boring after about 20km.
eziliving
Posts: 876
Date Joined: 30/12/09
I’m normally at 25ltrs per
I’m normally at 25ltrs per 100kays with a 200 series towing 2.5 - 3 tonne. Lock it in 4th any put the boot into it.
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
eziliving
Posts: 876
Date Joined: 30/12/09
I’m normally at 25ltrs per
I’m normally at 25ltrs per 100kays with a 200 series towing 2.5 - 3 tonne. Lock it in 4th any put the boot into it.
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
roddo
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 16/10/09
With my 76 series cruiser
With my 76 series cruiser towing a 2t caravan and a roof topper on the cruiser I average 20lph driving at 100kmh can get it down to 16lph if travelling at 90 kph but it's hard to maintain 90 when the cruiser is happy to sit on 100. With a head wind it can be upto 24lph but it' all relative to how you drive.
crowie
Posts: 91
Date Joined: 16/11/14
2013 DMAX
Towing a 6.8 bayshore i get 16.5l per 100km average
Highest ive been is 17 but its even worth thinking about the time you leave and if head winds are going to be a problem then get there before they hit.
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
3t boat with a fair amount
3t boat with a fair amount of windage. With my old 200 series it was 22-24 litres per 100. The new 18 model is a fair bit better. 18-20 per 100. Gearbox software tune much nicer.
I have a n80 hilux as well with the 2.8. Tows come around town but Long tows the smaller engine struggles. See upto 28 per 100 and won’t hold 100kmh.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
scottnofish
Posts: 1621
Date Joined: 28/08/07
Towing 3.5 t cat with a hard top that is like a parachute
I get 19l per 100ks with my 2017 colorado was 21 l per 100 with my old 2015 colorado and my bro with his 200 series is getting 25 l per hundred towing the same boat
marble
Posts: 778
Date Joined: 03/09/09
v8 petrol 100 series, boat is
v8 petrol 100 series, boat is 3 tonne empty , 27l/100km busselton to exmouth
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Travis p
Posts: 727
Date Joined: 28/07/16
Our landcruiser
2014 200 series tows a 2.3 tonne whitley uses approx 19l to 21l ever 100km
wont catch em sitting at home!
Travis p
Posts: 727
Date Joined: 28/07/16
Also
Depending on how much your boat weighs and the condition on where you are launching have a look at the ford falcon xr6 i think it can tow 2.5 tonne from memory but these days 4x4s are the fashion yet 90 percent dont go off road at all though but yeah if you want to save fuel then a falcon could be the way to go
wont catch em sitting at home!
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
2012 200 Series. Towing
2012 200 Series. Towing 3.5T. Average 20-21L/100km. Always in S4
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Be careful with the Falcon idea
Facts from the Ford web site
XR6T Ute(FG) Kerb weight 1810kg
Max load 545kg ( -70kg for 19" wheels)
GVM 2355kg ( -70kg for 19" wheels)
GCM 4425kg ( -70kg for 19" wheels)
Max Towing 2300kg (heavy duty tow package)
Ball weight 230kg (heavy duty tow package)
Ball weight over 160kg WDH must be used
KW 270kw (95 RON)
Torque 533Nm @ 2000rpm - 4750rpm (95 RON)
That weight quoted above is ONLY for the heavy duty tow package,which is more than just fitting a heavy duty bar. And the manual version is rated for 1200kg, period.